One-piece binaural assemblies for stethoscope



Oct. 10, 1967 1. A. SPEELMAN 3,346,069

ONE-PIECE BINAURAL ASSEMBLIES FOR STETHOSCOPE Filed Feb. 6, 196

INVENTOR. IRVING A. SPEELMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent O ONE-PIECE BINAURAL ASSEMBLIES FOR STETHOSiIOPE Irving A. Speelman, Roslyn Heights, N.Y., ass1gnor to Propper Manufacturing (10., Inc., Long Island City,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 614,224 Claims. (Cl. 181-24) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE For use in a binaural stethoscope, a one-piece binaural assembly including a pair of binaural tubes which respectively have upper ends adapted to be received in the ears of the user and lower ends distant from these upper end-s. An elongated leaf spring of substantially U- shaped configuration extends between the lower ends of the binaural tubes and is integral therewith.

Specification The invention relates to stethoscopes and in particular to binaural stethoscopes.

It is conventional to provide for stethoscopes of thls type a pair of binaural tubes which respectively have upper ends adapted to be received in the ears of the user, these upper ends conventionally carrying suitable ear plugs. The lower ends of he binaural tubes are conventionally connected to each other by suitable spring structure which is received with the lower ends of the binaural tubes in the flexible sound tube of the stethoscope. Conventionally the spring is connected to the binaural tubes so as to support the latter and urge them toward each other, so that the upper ends of the tubes will be received with a suitable pressure in the ears of the user. One of the problems of long standing encountered in these constructions is the manner in which the spring is connected to the binaural tubes. The spring is conventionally formed as a separate element which generally is of a different separate element which generally is of a different material from the binaural tubes, and considerable problems are encountered in assembling the tubes with the springs not only with respect to a reliable connection therebetween but also with respect to precision of the assembly of the spring and tubes.

It is accorthngly a primary object of the present invention to provide a construction which will avoid these drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which will eliminate any problems with respect to the assembly of the spring with the binaural tubes.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which is simple and inexpensive while at the same time providing a reliable precise assembly of the binaural tubes and spring structure extending there between.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction which in the stethoscope does not provide any exterior appearance ditferent from that of a conventional stethoscope and which enables the stethoscope of the invention to be used in exactly the same way as any conventional stethoscope.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a structure which enables the binaural tubes and spring assembly to be readily assembled with the flexible sound tube of the stethoscope.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a binaural assembly the spring force of which can be readily increased.

Also, it is among the objects of the invention to provide a constrution in which the increase in the spring force is derived by way of a simple unit which can be readily and reliably assembled with the remainder of the stethoscope.

In accordance with the invention the stethoscope includes a one-piece binaural assembly made up of a pair of binaural tubes and a spring which extends between and is integral with these tubes, so that in this way any problems with respect to assembly of the springs with the tubes are completely eliminated. If it is desired to increase the spring force and/or the spring reliability, it is possible to combine with the one-piece binaural assembly a second assembly of a pair of tubes and a spring integral therewith with a pair of tubes of one of these assemblies being telescoped within the pair of tubes of the other of the assemblies, and with the pair of springs thereof extending alongside each other, so that in this way a double spring can be provided.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings which form part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the stethoscope of the invention as it appears from the exterior;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a one-piece binaural assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal elevation of the connection between one of the binaural tubes and the spring, FIG. 3 showing the outer sound tube in longitudinal section;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the structure of FIG. 3 taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the binaural assembly of FIG. 2 shown combined with an additional unit which is capable of providing a double-spring for the stethoscope, the additional unit being shown in elevation while the part of the binaural unit of FIG. 2 which receives the additional unit of FIG. 5 is shown in longitudinal section; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the spring portion of a modification of the binaural assembly shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a binaural stethoscope 10 having a conventional flexible sound tube 12 of substantially Y-shaped configuration conected at its bottom end in a conventional manner to a conventional microphone 14. The sound tube 12 has a pair of upper legs 16 and 18 which respectively receive the lower end portion of a pair of binaural tubes 20 and 22. The binaural tubes 20 and 22 respectively have upper ends adapted to be received in the ears of the user of the stethoscope 1t and these upper ends are conventionally provided with removable ear plugs 24 and 26, respectively. The entire stethoscope 10 of FIG. 1 has an exterior appearance conforming to that of a conventional stethoscope, and it is used in precisely the same way as a conventional stethoscope.

The structure of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, referring to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the stethoscope of the invention includes a one-piece binaural assembly composed of the binaural tubes 20 and 22 and also including a spring 28 which is integral with the tubes 20 and 22. This spring 28 is in the form of a substantially -shaped leaf spring conforming to the curvature of the legs 16 and 18 of the sound tube 12 and extending between and along the interior of these legs. The spring 28 forms integral extensions of the lower ends of the binaural tubes which are distant from their upper ends, respectively. As may be seen from FIG. 2, the binaural tubes 20 and 22 respectively have inner side edges 30 and 32 directed toward each other and outer side edges 34 and 36 directed away from each other, and the integral leaf spring 28 extends between the inner side edges and 32. The binaural tubes 20 and 22 have lower bevelled ends 38 and 40, respectively, and these bevelled ends merge smoothly into the leaf spring 28, as is particularly apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4.

In order to assemble the structure the plugs 24 and 26 are removed and one of the binaural tubes is slipped through the legs 16 and 18 until the spring 28 is completely enclosed therein, after which the plugs 24 and 26 are replaced on the upper ends of the tubes. The integral leaf spring 28 can be formed in many different ways. For example, it is possible to take an elongated one-piece section of tubing which is still straight and to mill away a central elongated portion thereof forming in this way the bevelled ends 38 and 4t) and the elongated wall portion which subsequently will form the leaf spring 218. This construction is then suitably bent so as to form the structure shown in FIG. 2, and if necessary the portion which forms the leaf spring 28 is suitably heat treated so as to have the required resiliency. Then the curved tube and leaf spring assembly is united with the sound tube, in the manner set forth above, and finally the plugs 24 and 26 are placed on the upper ends of the tubes 20 and 22.

In addition to being bent so as to have the configuration shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to pass the central leaf spring portion 28 through suitable rollers which will flatten this portion of the wall which extends integrally between the tubes 20' and 22.

In the event that it is desired to provide an additional spring, there can be combined with the structure of FIG. 2 an additional unit according to the present invention. Thus, referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that an additional unit 50 is combined with the assembly of FIG. 2. This unit 50 includes a pair of elongated tubes 52 and 54 made of any suitable metal and each having opposed open ends. The tubes 52 and 54 of the unit 50 are integral with an elongated leaf spring 56 which extends along and is substantially coextensive with the leaf spring 28, the spring 56 engaging an underside of the spring 28 in the example illustrated in FIG. 5. The one-piece unit 50 can be manufactured in the same way as the assembly of FIG. 2 so as to have the spring 56 integral with the tubes 52 and 54. These tubes 52 and 54 have lower bevelled ends 58 and .60 which are substantially flush with the bevelled ends 38 and of the binaural tubes 20 and 22.

It will be noted that the tubes 20 and 22 respectively have substantially straight upper portions 62 and 64 which are respectively connected by slight bends 66 and 68 with the lower portions 70 and 72 of the tubes 20 and 22, respectively. In order to assemble the unit with the unit of FIG. 2 the tubes 52 and 54 are respectively slipped into the tubes 20 and 22, and then the latter tubes are provided with bends 66 and 68 so that in this way a secure conection is provided between the unit 50' and the onepiece binaural assembly of FIG. 2.

If desired, the tubes 20 and 22 can be received within the tubes of a unit similar to the unit 50. For this purpose a central elongated leaf spring of such a unit would be placed along the upper side of the leaf spring 28, and then lateral extensions of such a unit would be wrapped around each of the tubes 20 and 22 so as to form outer tubes within which the latter tubes are respectively received, and in this way the unit of FIG. 2 could have its binaural tubes telescopesd within the tubes of the unit 50. Of course, it would also be possible before the structure is bent to the configuration of FIG. 2 to telescopically slip the structure of FIG. 2 through a pair of tubes which form a unit similar to the unit 50, and thereafter the entire assembly could be bent to the curvature shown in FIG. 5v

As was indicated above the central leaf spring can be formed in a variety of ways. An additional manner of forming this leaf spring, particularly the leaf spring of the unit 50, is to take an elongated tubular section and to press one longitudinal wall portion against an opposed longitudinal wall portion so as to form an elongated channel structure which has a pair of walls engaging each other and which is substantially U-shaped in cross section. Opposed side walls of this channel structure are then milled away at a central portion of the structure situated between the ends thereof so as to form the leaf spring, and thereafter the parts of this structure which extend beyond the leaf spring are further curved toward each other to form the pair of tubes.

In FIG. 6 there is shown another embodiment which corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except the spring is provided with a medial longitudinally extending slot substantially coextensive with the spring to define a pair of laterally spaced spring elements 28, this arrangement having the added advantage of prolonging spring life by giving the effect of a pair of independent springs 28'. Accordingly the stethoscope can be provided with a single integrally formed spring 28 as shown in FIG. 2 or optionally can be provided with plural integrally formed springs 28 as shown in FIG. 6.

Thus, it is apparent that the structure of the invention can be readily manufactured without any difficulty and in addition it is possible to readily assemble the components While at the same time eliminating all problems with respect to assembly of the spring and binaural tubes. At the same time it is possible to provide with the structure shown in FIG. 5 a double spring structure. Also, instead of connecting the unit 50 to the assembly of FIG. 2 in the manner shown in FIG. 5, where the bends 66 and 68 are situated slightly below the top ends 74 and 76 of the tubes 52 and 54, it is possible to extend the latter tubes up to the upper curved ends of the binaural tubes 20 and 22 so as to be securely joined thereto at its upper ends also.

What is claimed is:

1. For incorporation in a binaural stethoscope, a onepiece unitary binaural assembly comprising a pair of rigid longitudinal binaural tubes and a leaf spring extending between said tubes and interconnecting the same in predetermined orientation, said tubes each having an upper end adapted to be received in the ear of the user and a lower end distant therefrom, said spring being integrally formed with the lower end of said tubes and being of substantially U-shaped configuration with said tubes forming laterally spaced extensions of the ends thereof, the median portion of said spring forming the bight portion of said U-shaped configuration, the ends of said spring and the lower end of said tubes defining a zone of transition from a tubular configuration to a substantially fiat configuration.

2. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said lower ends of said tubes are bevelled and merge smoothly into said spring.

3. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said tubes respectively have inner side edges directed toward each other and outer side edges directed away from each other, and said spring extending integrally between said inner side edges of said tubes at said lower ends thereof.

4. The combination of claim 3 and wherein said lower ends .of said tubes are bevelled and merge smoothly into said leaf spring.

5. The combination of claim 1 and wherein a second spring extends along said first-mentioned spring and a second pair of tubes which are integral with said second spring respectively extend along said first-mentioned pair of tubes, one of said pair of tubes being respectively telescoped around the other of said pair of tubes.

6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said second pair of tubes are telescoped within said first-mentioned pair of tubes and said second spring extends along an underside of said first-mentioned spring.

7. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said second spring is in the form of a leaf spring.

8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein all of said tubes respectively have lower ends which are integrally connected with the springs.

9. The combination of claim 8 and wherein said lower ends of all of said tubes are bevelled, said tubes all having inner side edges with the inner side edges of each pair of tubes being directed toward each other and outer side edges with the outer side edges of each pair of tubes being directed away from each other, and each spring extending integrally from the inner side edges of the pair of tubes to which it is connected.

10. The combination of claim 1 and wherein said leaf spring is provided with a longitudinally extending slot defining a pair of laterally spaced spring elements integrally connected with said tubes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 999,225 8/ 1911 Hopewell 18124 1,585,407 5/1926 Morin 18124 2,902,108 9/ 1959 Briskiev 181-24 3,108,652 10/1963 Littman 181-24 3,168,160 2/1965 Littman 18124 STEPHEN I TOMSKY, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOR INCORPORATION IN A BINAURAL STETHOSCOPE, A ONEPIECE UNITARY BINAURAL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A PAIR OF RIGID LONGITUDINAL BINAURAL TUBES AND A LEAF SPRING EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID TUBES AND INTERCONNECTING THE SAME IN PREDETERMINED ORIENTATION, SAID TUBES EACH HAVING AN UPPER END ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EAR OF THE USER AND A LOWER END DISTANT THEREFROM, SAID SPRING BEING INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBES AND BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION WITH SAID TUBES FORMING LATERALLY SPACED EXTENSIONS OF THE ENDS THEREOF, THE MEDIAN PORTION OF SAID SPRING FORMING THE BIGHT PORTION OF SAID U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION, THE ENDS OF SAID SPRING AND THE LOWER END OF SAID TUBES DEFINING A ZONE OF TRANSITION FROM A TUBULAR CONFIGURATION TO A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT CONFIGURATION. 